Neck protection collar

ABSTRACT

A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user has a collar portion that substantially wraps around the neck of a user. A neck protection portion extends up a rearward portion of the collar to protect the neck and part of the cranium. In one embodiment, a chamber is disposed along a portion of the neck protection collar and is filled with an energy absorbing fluid that distributes the force applied during an impact so that injuries are reduced. In another embodiment, a plurality of chambers are filled with the energy absorbing fluid are used to provide the energy absorbing function. The fluid is an energy absorbing gel or liquid. In one embodiment, the chambers are filled with a gas such as air. A fastener is disposed along an upper portion of the neck protection portion to attach to a helmet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by referenceU.S. provisional patent application 61/149,731, filed Feb. 4, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neck injuries are unfortunately common with most of them beingassociated with vehicle crashes. Sports injuries, while not as common,are never the less very serious and often have long term or permanenteffects on an individual. Additionally, adolescents often play sportswhich leads to neck injuries even when wearing conventionally protectiveequipment such as helmets and shoulder pads. While the neck issurprisingly resilient, it is a weak point when subjected to extremeforces.

There is a need for a neck protection collar that may be attached to ahelmet to provide additional protection for the user's neck withoutsignificantly restricting movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user has a collarportion that substantially wraps around the neck of a user. A neckprotection portion extends up a rearward portion of the collar toprotect the neck and part of the cranium. In one embodiment, a chamberis disposed along a portion of the neck protection collar and is filledwith an energy absorbing fluid that distributes the force applied duringan impact so that injuries are reduced. In another embodiment, aplurality of chambers are filled with the energy absorbing fluid areused to provide the energy absorbing function. The fluid is an energyabsorbing gel or liquid. In one embodiment, the chambers are filled witha gas such as air. A fastener is disposed along an upper portion of theneck protection portion to attach to a helmet.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a neck protection collar according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view perspective drawing of the neck protection collarshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view perspective drawing of the neck protection collarshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the neck protection collar attached to ahelmet using a hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 54 is a front view of the neck protection collar attached to ahelmet using mechanical fasteners.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the neck protection collar attached to afootball helmet.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a neck protection collar according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements,and which are intended to show by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a neck protection collar 100 is shown having aneck support portion 110 extending upward from a rearward portion of acollar portion 130. A hook and loop fastener pad 140 is attached to anouter edge of neck support portion 110.

A fluid chamber 120 is attached to an interior portion of neckprotection collar 100 and is filled with an energy absorbing fluid.Non-Newtonian shear thickening fluids known as dilatants provide goodenergy absorption properties and are used to provide the impactabsorbing functionality. Of course other fluids may be used such as oil,emulsions, water or even a gas such as air may be used to provide theprotective functionality. Additionally, a resilient material such asfoam or rubber may be used to provide the impact resistance.

Neck protection collar 100 is made of a flexible cloth covered foam thatincorporates fluid chamber 120 therein. Fluid chamber 120 is filled withthe energy absorbent fluid and sealed to prevent leakage. Alternatively,a filling port (not shown) may be provided to allow post productionfilling of a suitable fluid. Additionally, other materials may be usedto make neck protection collar 100 such as plastic, composite materials,fabric or any other suitable material.

Now referring to FIG. 4, neck protection collar 100 is shown attached toa helmet 160 using a hook and loop fastener pads 140 and 150respectively. Hook and loop fastener pad 150 is applied to helmet 160and attaches to the corresponding hook and loop fastener pad 140 that isattached to neck protection collar 100 and can be used with a variety ofhelmets. To use neck protection collar 100 with different helmets, theuser simply applies a hook and loop fastener pad to the desired helmet.

Referring now to FIG. 5, neck protection collar is permanently attachedto helmet 160 with a plurality of rivets 270. In this embodiment, neckprotection collar 100 is not interchangeable and is part of the helmet.In a similar manner as discussed above, neck protection collar hascollar portion 230, neck support portion 210 and fluid chamber 220. Ofcourse other mechanical fasteners may be used such as snaps, bolts orother suitable fasteners as is known in the art. Additionally, aremovable or permanent adhesive may be used to secure neck protectioncollar 100 to helmet.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a football helmet 280 worn by a user 290with neck protection collar 100 attached therein. Neck support portion110 is shown attached to helmet 280 with hook and loop fastener pad 140and 150 respectively. Collar portion 130 wraps around the user's neck toprovide support during an impact.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of fluid chambers 320 are shownattached to a neck protection collar 300 along an inner portion of acollar portion 330 and neck support portion 310. A hook and loopfastener pad 340 is used to connect to a helmet as discussed above.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a usercomprising: a collar portion adapted to substantially wrap around a neckof a user; a neck support portion disposed along a rearward perimeterportion of said collar portion and projecting upward adapted to protectsaid user's neck and anterior cranium portion; a connecting meansdisposed on said neck support portion for attaching said neck protectioncollar to a helmet; at least one chamber disposed along a portion ofsaid neck protection collar; and an energy absorbing fluid disposedwithin said at least one chamber wherein impact energy is distributedthroughout said energy absorbing material to minimize potentialinjuries.
 2. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of auser according to claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing material is anenergy absorbing gel.
 3. The neck protection collar for protecting theneck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said energy absorbingmaterial is an energy absorbing liquid.
 4. The neck protection collarfor protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein saidenergy absorbing material is a gas.
 5. The neck protection collar forprotecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said energyabsorbing material is a resilient foam.
 6. The neck protection collarfor protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein saidconnection means is a removable adhesive.
 7. The neck protection collarfor protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein saidconnection means is a hook and loop fastener.
 8. The neck protectioncollar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 whereinsaid connection means is a mechanical fastener.
 9. The neck protectioncollar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 whereinsaid neck protection collar is substantially made of flexible fabric.10. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a useraccording to claim 1 wherein said neck protection collar issubstantially made of flexible plastic.
 11. The neck protection collarfor protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said neckprotection collar is substantially made of flexible foam.
 12. The neckprotection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1wherein said at least one chamber is disposed along an interior portionof said neck protection collar.
 13. The neck protection collar forprotecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said at leastone chamber is disposed along an exterior portion of said neckprotection collar.
 14. A neck protection collar for protecting the neckof a user comprising: a collar portion adapted to substantially wraparound a neck of a user; a neck support portion disposed along arearward perimeter portion of said collar portion and projecting upwardadapted to protect said user's neck and anterior cranium portion; aconnecting means disposed on said neck support portion for attachingsaid neck protection collar to a helmet; a plurality of chambersdisposed along a portion of said neck protection collar; and an energyabsorbing fluid disposed within said plurality of chambers whereinimpact energy is distributed throughout said energy absorbing fluid tominimize potential injuries.